Happier at Work – Episode 31, Aoife O’Brien

The Changed Podcast with Aden Nepom

Aoife O'Brien, host of The Happier at Work Podcast, gets on the other side of the mic as guest in episode 31 of The Changed Podcast with Aden Nepom. We discuss, adventure, risk-taking, taking yourself by the hand instead of waiting, and of course... what it means to be changed.

Aoife O'Brien has had many adventures, having traveled to all seven continents... even Antarctica! However, she is quick to confess that even as an adventurous person change can feel rather difficult at times.

She has a Masters in Organizational Behavior, a degree which she completed during lockdown, and is passionate (like I am) about creating happier workplace dynamics. In fact, when Aoife and I spoke on her show (you can listen to that episode of the Happier at Work Podcast here!) it felt very much like meeting my long-lost twin but with different areas of expertise. While I have a background in improvisation, play, and facilitation, Aoife has a background in data and analysis.

In our conversation on the Changed Podcast which we recorded back in February of this year (2021), Aoife O'Brien talks a bit about what it means to be an entrepreneur, both the inspiration and the reality behind the choice to leave working in a corporate environment in order to pursue being one's own boss. We also discuss the helpful practice of journaling through difficult changes; and the realization that when it comes to the big bold moves, you cannot wait for someone else to come take you by the hand, and lead you where you want to go.

Takeaways from our conversation

For all you solopreneurs out there... we see you. We are you! You're working hard. Harder than you might have expected. But if you're like us, doing what you love doesn't really feel like work. Still, strive for balance! Don't let yourself get stuck on defining yourself as 'busy!'

And for those of you considering leaving your salaried positions to venture forth on your own, here are some things to consider:

• How much of your burnout is because of how you are choosing to work vs what your employer is asking you to do?
• What is the story you are living inside of?
• The market for what you want to offer people as a service or product is already saturated. That being said you are certainly the only you out there, and that is its own unique value proposition. Reaching your ideal customers or clients though means that just knowing what value you can provide to people isn't enough on its own. You'll need other important skills or resources! So, What do you know about marketing, PR, web design and maintenance, creating contracts, creating a business plan, and more? How much are you willing to learn and do and/or what kind of budget do you have to hire all of the people needed to perform these tasks?

Not everyone wants the same things that you do. Not everyone interprets the options in the way that you do. You are the only one who truly understands what you want and need or who can view your particular moment or situation with your instincts for action. Like in improv, when you have the thought that something should be happening, or that somebody ought to be making something happen... that somebody is you!

Journaling is a great way to process change. I tried desperately to find the journaling process that I found so impactful when my first marriage came to a close so that I could share it with you. Unfortunately, too much time has passed and I cannot find the original piece! BUT here is my rough memory of the prompts that were most helpful.

Journaling prompts to help you heal from a divorce or breakup (These prompts (minus #3) can be used to process the end of any kind of relationship… even...
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